The best of BAD – our top ten things to see and do at BRISBANE ART DESIGN

Folks, it’s finally here – the hotly anticipated BRISBANE ART DESIGN festival and exhibition are arriving as of Friday May 10! These two massive projects are the first of their kind in our city, drawing upon the talents of Brisbane artists both past and present to create an all-in sensory experience that celebrates our unique cultural scene. The whopping program is jam-packed with true gems, from talks and workshops to tours and feasts – so we thought we’d pick some unmissable events to give you some inspo. Behold, our top ten things to see and do at BRISBANE ART DESIGN!

BADhub – Museum of Brisbane, May 10 to August 11
The BRISBANE ART DESIGN festival and program are both stacked, so it makes sense to have a central spot to keep it all together – enter BADhub. This is the place to go for all program and tour info, killer merch, chilled hangs or any information you’re seeking. This is also where you can secure a tour of the actual [email protected] exhibition – total immersion, baby!

Open Studio weekend – various locations and dates throughout BAD festivalWhen it comes to art and design, everyone’s creative process is different. It’s truly fascinating and insightful getting an inside look at how other minds and disciplines operate, which is what the Open Studio weekend is all about. Go behind the scenes at revered creative spots like Metro Arts, UAP and QCA to learn just what gets the creative juices flowing – studio tours, design demos, hands-on workshops and talks are all part of the experience.

BADtours – various locations and dates throughout BAD festivalLace up your best sneakers and prepare to discover some of Brisbane’s art and design secrets hiding in plain sight! Whether you’re after a helping hand or would rather go the self-guided route, BADtours offer a whole new perspective of the city and its best spots. We highly recommend nabbing one of the last tickets to BADtours+CBD – this killer event combines art, design and delicious food for an all-in sensory adventure.

BADexperiences: Kellie O’Dempsey – Museum of Brisbane, Friday May 24
Chasing something hands-on and up-close. BADexperiences are the best way to get involved in a more practical sense. Kellie O’Dempsey’s work lends itself supremely well to this approach, with this particular event giving you the opportunity to be a part of her immersive piece Outside the Lines. Get right in the middle of the action amongst her digital drawing, performance, animated video projection and sound-based work.

BNE DESIGN Market – Reddacliff Place, Friday May 24Fancy the idea of supporting local artisans while also gaining major doses of creative inspo? The BNE DESIGN Market is the place to go. Shop from an impressive array of handmade jewellery, homewares, ceramics, stationery, accessories and more, all showcasing the best in Brisbane’s indie design scene. There will also be food trucks (because shopping requires sustenance) as well as live tunes from gypsy jazz band, The Van Dijk.

Botanica – City Botanic Gardens, May 10–19
You guys went nuts for its debut last year, so we are stoked to report that Botanica is back! The massive outdoor art exhibition is taking over the City Botanic Gardens with a host of mind-bending installations set into natural surrounds – trust us when we say it’s highly Instagrammable. It’s not just about the art – Botanica also comes with a program full of tours, talks and workshops as well as Friday night up-late sessions (hello, live performances and food trucks).

Shared Connections – various locations, May 1 to July 31When it comes to local Brisbane artists, it doesn’t get much more local than our First Nations people – after all, they are the original storytellers of our country. Shared Connections is running as part of Brisbane City Council’s Indigenous Art Program, you can take in outdoor installations, projections, guided tours, workshops and engaging public discussions all focused on amplifying the voices of Indigenous Australians.

Luxxbox + Makers Take – Luxxbox Design Studio, Saturday May 25This rad street party combines community vibes with creative sensibilities to create a truly unique BAD experience. For one night only, a pocket of Eagle Farm will be activated with an exhibition that explores the work of established and emerging product designers from across Brisbane, bolstering the showcase with a curated furniture product showcase, design studio demonstrations, plus killer live entertainment. Oh, and there will be food trucks and DJs to keep the mood sky-high.

BADideas: Redefining Authentic Design – Museum of Brisbane, Thursday May 23In the world of art and design, originality and authenticity are two qualities heralded above all else – so how do we strive towards these ideals in an increasingly digitised and rapidly changing world? This sterling panel of talent helmed by ABC Radio’s Rebecca Levingston will unpack and discuss everything from culturally-informed design processes and commercial copying practices, to maintaining authenticity in a digital environment, and co-opting the values of the bespoke and handcraft by the broader design community.

BADexhibitions – various locations and dates throughout BAD festivalAlthough [email protected] is the centrepiece and anchor point of BRISBANE ART DESIGN, there are actually plenty of concurrent exhibitions to explore as part of the festival as a whole. Immerse yourself in the world of Brisbane art and design spread all across the city and suburbs – whether you’re scoping the delicious and thought-provoking food-art of Elizabeth Willing or Hailey Atkins’ peppy and colourful creations, there’s plenty to uncover.

These are just a handful of the amazing things you can see and do during BRISBANE ART DESIGN festival and exhibition – to scope the whole program and start planning out your hit list, head to the BAD website.